Looking for answers to life's questions

Last night, while reading my Chicken Soup story just before dropping off to sleep, I saw a rather large (in my peripheral vision it was the size of a small tarantula) spider run up my bed to my pillow. I will not tell you the stream of words that came out of my mouth.

I jumped up out of bed and stripped off my nightgown to make sure it wasn’t hiding on me somewhere and before I started stripping my bed., I put on snug fitting pajamas just so I would know for certain I had nothing on me. I then got out the vacuum and tried to move the bed. It weighs a ton and I was shaking so much my strength was missing. I gave up and went to sleep on the sofa for all of four hours.

Camellia to take your mind off spiders.

What does this tell me? I need to do some more cleaning out. I have been continuing to purge since Alys’ visit but last night set up a more in-depth purge. I had bags of fabric (hiding) under my bookcase headboard that I’ve been wondering where it should go. After pushing the bed out and dragging all those plastic bags of “I’m gonna” fabrics out, they are now in the thrift store box. Vacuuming and searching brought no results for the spider so I’m still quite jumpy.

Bags in the going box

Going through bags to go

I will admit that going through things is a good idea and have been bragging to anyone who would listen about my Alys adventure. I was looking through a bag on it’s way to the thrift store when I found a treasure rolled up in other things. My mother had finished this needlepoint for me well before my move to Arizona in 1999. I couldn’t figure needlepoint out but mom excelled at it and I loved the design. With everything that happened during the ensuing years, this needlepoint went missing. When I showed it to my daughter, she was stunned and agreed that it had to be framed and hung. She helped me to pick the mating and frame since it will one day grace her walls.

My mother’s handwork more than 20 years old

On the wall where it belongs.

My Alys worship affected one of my sewing friends who frequently spoke about buying a new, easy to carry machine. She knew just what she wanted and was going to go shopping. But first she had to do a little closet cleaning so there would be room for her machine. At the next gathering of our sewing group, she had to do a show and tell. It was her new machine and it’s little carrying case…that she found in the back of her closet! It had been there so long, she had to refresh herself on how to use it. Of course, we had to help her get it all figured out so she could quickly enjoy her find.

All the stitches she needs

It even had a case

I’m having a glass of wine tonight in hopes of a real night’s sleep. Cheers.

good stories start with alcohol

Have you ever lost things only to find them years later right where you put them? What does it take to get you to part with things that you “were gonna” use? Hopefully not a big spider.

Comments on: "Lost and Found" (62)

I just killed a spider in my bedroom right next to my bed! I don’t like to kill things but I’m very allergic to spiders and the webs so I’m afraid my first instinct is to kill them. I DO need to deep clean my room. Not to get rid of too many things as I don’t have much anyway but to dust and overall cleaning that I’ve neglected for much too long. A spider in my bed would drive me nuts on finding it so I sympathize. 😉

I love the piece your mother made! Many years ago I used to do some needlepoint so I appreciate the work that went into it. So glad you found it. Big hugs! ❤

If I’d found that sucker, he would have wound up in the vacuum. Once they are in my space, they are fair game. I’ve been clearing out for awhile and a good cleaning is coming in the next 2 weeks for company but I got pushed a little ahead of schedule with this little demon. My daughter is allergic to spider bites as well. I understand what it’s like. I was bitten once a couple of years ago and it left a welt and an itch for months. This spider was telling me to let go of the stuff under the headboard. Oh well. I never could figure out needlepoint. I can do embroidery though. Cross stitch is too small now. Take care of yourself, Jackie. Hugs.

Scary!
But tarantulas aren’t scary even though they are big. They won’t bite unless provoked, so I don’t provoke them. They can shoot hairs out of their butt at you, but I don’t provoke this either. I just took photos of a very large one a few days ago. Hard to photograph since they are so black. I have never seen one in my bedroom though, which would creep the heck out of me, and any spider running to my pillow would not be a welcome guest.
Look on the bright side though, maybe it was being a chased by an even bigger spider!!
Remember when they would tell us, “Spiders are more scared of you, than you are of them.”
Sure they are, unless they are very venomous and run at your pillow when you are nodding off to sleep, chased by an even more scary, much bigger spider.
Clean out your closets, maybe you will scare a bunch of spiders, or yourself, and me, or all of the above.
I am bad…… very, very, bad.
Just tell the spiders to bug off, you’re sleeping.
Love to you.

You are so funny, Cindy. There were lots of Tarantulas where I lived in Arizona but I don’t think they have them in Portland, Oregon. This one felt like it was that big but it ran so fast I didn’t get a clear view of it. I don’t want another. Lets hope it found it’s way back outside. I’ve cleaned out every closet, now the stuff under my headboard is taken care of too. Sigh. it was hard to let that stuff go but it must. Now that you are done being ornery, get back to taking stunning photos. You can leave the spiders out. 🙂 Thanks for the visit.

Ha! The spider. We holidayed in Phoenix many years ago and my daughter was terrified and my wife not exactly pleased when the darling son brought a tarantula into the apartment on a bit of wood. Now she’s a vet and occasionally has to treat exotics which include spiders. I wish I could watch and remind her of those screams (rumour has it they were so large they could be heard in space).
Now both sets of children and partners seem settled outside the family home (I know you enjoy Englishisms Marlene – a slang word for your home is your ‘gaff’ popular with the old school London criminal classes but now adopted by more trendy users) anyway where was I …oh yes clearing out. Goodness that is a challenge and a half but you’re right, the chance of unearthing a forgotten gem is very high. In some boxes of stuff I kept when Mum died i found my great grandmother’s bonnet, a beautiful piece of Victoriana

I’ve been reading about your mum’s collecting abilities and your powerless ability to get her to purge. It tickled me somewhat. 🙂 Since my time here is indeed shorter than I’d like, I’m trying to make sure my children and bogged down with quite so much. I’m putting stickers on the back of items each wants and the rest will be sold off. I’ve been purging for years but it’s like letting go of dreams and somewhat difficult to do. I’m about 3/4 the way through and was getting ready to read another chapter when rudely interrupted by what appeared to be a tarantula. I don’t think we have them in my area but Arizona had them in abundance. My dog was smart enough to be enchanted by them but back up quickly. I’m happy to see nature being natural, outside. Not in my bed. Shudder. I know the scream. None of my neighbors reported mine to to cops so I know not to count on them in case of a true emergency. Thanks for stopping by, Geoff.

LOL! That sign is hilarious! Who needs salad, right? 🙂
The needlepoint is absolutely beautiful, Marlene. I’m glad it’s on display where you can see it each day.
It’s a great feeling to clear the clutter, isn’t it?
Ack! I would have been up all night looking for that spider.

I love that sign and must paint one of my own. I saw it when we went to the beach a could of years ago with the “intention” of making one. Since my daughter loved the needlepoint as much as I did, it was worth getting framed for her. I WAS up most of the night and when I couldn’t find it, slept on the sofa for 4 hours. 😦 Thanks for stopping by, Jill.

I’m quite fond of spiders on the whole, but if they give me a fright and land on me unexpectedly they might not like the response. That little spider probably came bearing a message for you, perhaps when you are calmer you will hear it. One of my daughters used to have a real phobia and always saw the spiders about ten times their actual size. I went through a familiarisation process with her once which helped a bit,, but she still isn’t insect friendly really. Though she did go into a bat cave recently, and came out rather quickly with a funny story to share……. Good on you for clearing more clutter away. If you aren’t using it now, someone else could be.

I agree, spiders are quite necessary in nature and I’m happy to leave them to do their work. They can be anywhere but my bed or shower. 😉 I got over my phobia of most bugs. as long as they keep their distance. I think it was telling me to let go of old dreams. I will probably never again make my own clothes so I’m going to put it out there for someone who still can. I was looking up what a close encounter with a spider meant. My daughter said it was just saying hi but the fact that it headed directly to the stash of fabric that I have been agonizing about what to do with. Now it’s decided. I saw this spider as tarantula size so I get your daughter completely. 🙂 I did the familiarization process with the snakes in my yard. Scared the bejezzus out of me for the first summer. Now they don’t bother me at all. Hugs to you and the fuzzies.

Ha-ha, that made me laugh Marlene! Sounds like you got the spider right – she would be most pleased!. All the spiders my daughter used to see were the size of dinner plates, then we got them down to saucers and then maybe two or three times actual size. It was quite a process – I would be in stitches laughing and she would be close to tears. I’m a bad mumma!!

We’ve been in a similar process–getting rid of things that we don’t use, don’t need, don’t want to look at any more. We have MILES to go but it’s good to see progress. We have also stirred up many, many spiders (we live near the water and spiders are a fact of life). I do love that needlepoint from your mother–a reward for your hard work!

Thank you for the visit, Kerry. I’ve let go of SO much already and was really hoping that I would make use of the rest of what I have but looks like more paring down is in order. The velours, t-shirt knits, ribbing and things I was going to make clothing from is a dream no longer worth pursuing. Finding the needlepoint my mother finished for me was a treasure to keep. Glad to hear you are making progress as well. It’s an ongoing project.

This was my last move and I’m clearing out so the kids don’t have so much to deal with later. I had so much still in boxes until this last year so I’m going though things slowly. Letting go of old dreams. I can’t imagine you ever being bored but maybe needing a creative break. 🙂

Yikes! Oh, how I hate spiders. And beetles. And flies. And…I could go on and on! Especially in the house! So I completely understand sleeping on the couch. I hope your unwanted visitor got the hint and vacated the premises. Great stories about hidden treasures in the closet/giveaway bags! This happens to me occasionally, too. You know, my first sewing machine sat in a box in my closet for almost 15 years. I knew it was there but I didn’t know how or what to sew. And I hate reading instruction manuals! When I took my first quilting class, a few years ago, I drug the old thing out and forced myself to read the manual. I loved it sooooo much, there has barely been a day since then that I didn’t sew something. Talk about a hidden treasure! It was just waiting for me, all that time. The needlepoint that you found is beautiful! I love the colors, the framing, and I love that it was done by your
mother. I hope my kids keep my quilts forever, to remind them of me. Great post! Have a great day!

Thank you for the visit, Stacey. I can tolerate most bugs outside but I draw the line at my bed! I have another sewing machine story that is too long for one post so I’m trying to see how to break it up. I don’t think they stretched the needlework properly but it’s better than being rolled up in a plastic bag on it’s way to the thrift store with other stuff. That’s the second treasure I’ve rescued. I hate manuals as well since they are usually so poorly written. My daughter will keep the needlework my mother and I have done but she’s not interested in the few quilts I’ve made. Not sure what will become of them. I’m glad your machine gave you so many hours of pleasure once you overcame the fear.

I’m with you there, Linda. My daughter is highly allergic to spider bites and the last one that bit me left a welt for months. I’m certain now that my neighbors would not hear my screams if I needed them. ;( I have no idea how it got inside. I have a hard enough time sleeping without fear of a spider in my bed. Shudder. Anywhere else I might have managed better. Thanks for stopping by.

Thanks for the giggle. Love the alcohol sign . . . I think it needs posting on my wall. And don’t worry about the spider, I’m sure with all your actions you probably scared the beejessus out of him too – no doubt he didn’t stop scurrying until he hit a new neighbourhood!

Thanks for seeing the humor in all of this. My daughter said the same thing about the spider. It’s interesting how much bigger they seem when they are running next to you. 🙂 I saw the sign in a gift store on the beach and was going to paint one for myself. It’s on the “was gonna” list. 🙂

I can’t stand the idea that you were so upset you couldn’t vacuum and ended up sleeping on the couch. Wish I was closer so you could just ring me and I would have run right over. Spiders give me the creeps because of their shape – all those legs and that disproportionate abdomen. But as long as they’re outside, I tend to love their beauty and artistry in engineering. In the summer months, I never close my doors and windows for months on end. I’ve been sharing my home with moths, bees, spiders, and who knows what else. (The occasional live mouse or chipmunk that Racecar brings inside to play with, typically around 2am…) I just sigh and try not to think about it. A spider in my bed though…I’d be hunting for that thing. And like Tara taught me, I’d carefully capture it and transport it outside with a scolding.

It’s the one thing my daughter is extremely allergic to and requires immediate medical attention. I hunted that little (huge) bastard down for hours then gave up. It’s found somewhere to hide for now but I’ve taken away most of the hiding places by getting the fabric bags out of hiding. 🙂 No one here heard me scream so that does not bode well should I really need help. I don’t mind them all outside, just not inside and not in my bed!

Thanks Missy. I was so happy I went through the goodwill bag one more time before driving to the donation center or my mom’s needlepoint would have been lost forever. I don’t mind spiders outside, just not in my bed. I won’t ask how you know what ants taste like or smell like. I didn’t know they had an odor. I had not planned to clean and sort in the middle of the night but obviously the spider was sent to give me a nudge. 🙂 Hope you are staying cool as well. I am so ready for cooler weather and I swear the spider came inside to get cool too. 🙂

I would have been creeped out, too. On the positive side, the spider was the cause of all the cleaning and organizing and purging. Maybe you should call her Charlotte. I love your Mom’s needlepoint. It looks beautiful framed. Best to you, Marlene.

Thank you, Jennie. That spider did light the fire under me. I hope to never see her again and am making sure there is nowhere to hide from now on. I see that needlepoint every day now and it always makes me happy.

Spiders are quite beneficial in the garden, but when I find them inside I just trap them in a glass, put a sheet of paper over it and set it free outside. I had one appear out of nowhere the other day on my cutting board while chopping veggies. It was strikingly beautiful. White with red stripes! I had never seen one like it before.
The needle work you discovered is priceless. I’m glad you get to enjoy it and your daughter at a later point!
Hugs, and keep cool! 😎

Sorry, if it’s inside, it’s not going to make it outside. My daughter tries to protect them as well and she’s the one who is allergic to the bites. The one I saw, vanished. I hope for good. I can’t risk being bitten. I leave them alone outside except for the one that did bite. It didn’t survive to bite again. I think it was 3 months before the swelling and itch went away.
I agree, the needlepoint is priceless and my daughter agrees. I’m so glad she will take care of it later.

I would have been tempted to leave the entire house, not just the bedroom! I’m totally terrified of spiders, and of course it’s totally illogical. A woman I know crashed her car on a highway when a spider crawled over her steering wheel. I would have done the same. I’m so glad there was some benefit to your visitation though.

I would much rather have an Alys than a spider chasing me to clean up, but I guess if an Alys is not available, one just has to make do. 😀 Spiders here are generally benign but I still don’t care to have one share my bed. If I find one, I will capture the beastie and put it outside. I am so glad you found your mother’s needlepoint. That was a very special find. A while back when I was sorting out papers to discard, I found some little family stories I had written more than 20 years ago, and thought I had lost. I was so delighted to find they still existed.

Now, stories are a really special find! That’s wonderful. i think Alys sent the spider because she suspected I was hiding stuff that needed to go 😉 I know most spiders intend no harm and are vital outside. I never found that one so it lives on, hopefully not near my bed. That one broke speed limits. Thanks for stopping by.

The alcohol sign made me chuckle; thanks for that. And I, too, love your Mum’s needlepoint. I have three (!!!) identical needlework pillow kits waiting for me once they come to light again. I fell in love with them when the craft stores were closing. They are like a window with a branch of oranges pushing through; flowers and fruit both. And the background and frames are shades of green, as I remember. I rarely do more than one of anything, but I can see these on my chesterfield one day . . .

Like you, I have a lot of sorting and deciding to do once I have somewhere in which to do it. And, like you, I’m looking forward to finding more than a few treasures. That thought will keep me going.

I love nature, but mostly prefer it to stay outdoors. I’m not afraid of spiders, but not exactly comfortable with them, either. I have to say I much prefer Charlotte to Shelob. lol The only ones that ever bite me (I rarely have bites from any insects, even mosquitos, luckily) are those very tiny red ones. They use some sort of anaesthetic first, so one doesn’t feel the pain until later. Then there is a red, swollen spot that grows for a few days. On me, anyway. Then it begins to shrink and fade. I had one in Norway when I was at my cousin’s. She swore that variety doesn’t exist there, but I saw one on Leka when I was there. My cousin used to work in a lab, so has a very different approach to things from mine. She wanted me to go to the A&E in case I developed sepsis and maybe even died! I think I upset her by laughing and telling her that my germs are bigger than other germs or something like that. I did nothing and the usual pattern went on to manifest. No worries. I still have a mark, but it only itched for a few days. I’ve been very lucky in so many ways, really!

I’m sorry you have such a reaction to spider bites; it must be awful to have to be wary like that. And now I’m reminded of a friend whose boyfriend kept tarantulas in an aquarium in the bedroom closet!! His were the size of dinner plates, she said. If I had been her, it would have been me or the spiders, period! I’d never be able to sleep thinking one out.might escape and crawl on me while I was asleep. Ugh! Nature or not . . .

Good luck with the clear-out. I know how hard it is and it’s the same thing for me; letting go of all the dreams that I’ve waited years to manifest. Not gonna be easy, that’s for sure.

BTW, that was a lovely job of matting on the needlepoint. I really like it.

As to your quilts, if your family don’t want them, have you considered gifting them to a women’s shelter, children’s hospital or the like? I know there are groups who make them especially for those people. Or for a homeless shelter . . . better than going to a thrift shop, I think.

It’s cold here (after a few weeks of very hot weather) and raining cats and dogs at times, so I’m alternating preparing for my move on Tuesday and catching up online. I have a long-overdue post to write, too.

You are in my thoughts daily, my friend. And your sister, too. Take good care of yourself, won’t you? Love and light to you. ~ Linne

Thanks for stopping by, Linne. The quilts will be donated or sold and the money donated to the animal shelter here. My quilt group made many quilts to donate to women’s shelters or foster children. I don’t have very many so it shouldn’t be much of an issue. We have been HOT all summer with no measurable rain since early June. We stay dry until late Oct when our rain starts and doesn’t end until June. 😉 My daughter and I worked together picking out the mats and frame. She is the one who had the reaction to spider bites. I’m not particularly sensitive to anything.
There are still so many projects waiting to be finished and here I sit. Avoiding. 😉 I think it’s time to read a book. 🙂 Working on a couple of Dr. Joe Dispenza’s right now. They take a good deal of time. Hope you find your home spot soon. Hugs, M

I can only imagine your wish to find that huge spider.. ( I remember once lying in bed and feeling something run down my arm.. Instinctively I slapped my are and brushed it at the same time.. I turned on the light to find a huge squashed black spider on the carpet… Not half as huge as the one you described, but I had trouble sleeping the rest of the night and couldn’t stop itching.. LOL..
With the hot weather here recently and the windows open, its been more moths that have flown in than spiders crawling..

So loved your Mother’s beautiful needle work Marlene.. What a treasure to re-find and frame.. Beautiful..
The clearing bug must be catching… While I have stopped clearing as much, Hubby has made another start on the garage… Slow but sure.. As he finds he now has multiples of everything!… LOL… My Son is happy to be inheriting lots of new tools.. 🙂

I check my bed and surround more carefully now before going to sleep these days. Yes, we all have the windows open more and even the screens can’t keep out everything. Old houses have lots of cracks that things can get through. I had a stink bug bite me one night a couple of years ago. That was it’s last bite. 🙂

I’m glad your hubby has someone to pass things on too. Clearing the clutter saves us lots of money. When you can’t find something you go buy it again. I can’t do that anymore so keeping order is essential..
Glad you liked the needlepoint. I loved that pattern so much and just couldn’t get the hang of needlepoint so mom was kind enough to finish it for me. The red mat made the hearts pop and now it hangs proudly where everyone can see it. 🙂 Love and hugs, Sue. Take care of yourself.

Its beautiful and in pride of place hung on the wall… And yes now retired ourselves we need to be mindful of budgets..
Take care too Marlene.. Always love coming over to see what you have been doing.. And I am pleased we do not get stink bugs here, at least I have never heard of them though they may go by another name.. They do not sound pleasant lol
Big hugs right back.. ❤

Oh my goodness. I am like incahootswithmuddyboots in that I try to repatriate them outside, but if it was crawling in my bed, the natural instincts would be to beat it to a pulp, I think! If a mosquito is flying around after I turn off the light, I am known to jump around on the bed, ad fling around a pillow like a crazy women in an attempt to silence that dreadful buzzing. Perhaps I would do the same with the spider. It seems like you found a silver lining though. It also feels good to get rid of accumulated clutter. I have been doing quite a bit of that. I am much more ruthless nowadays. I used to just shift things from place to place in the house. That is because if I ever threw anything out, I would find I needed it right after the rubbish truck had collected it. Ahh! I needed a holding bay for things that were to be tossed, I decided. But now, we need to downsize and I can’t take it all with me. Only the essentials and the special things. So it all goes to charity, friends, or the rubbish dump! I hope you slept well the following night.

Downsizing can be a good thing, Amanda. I do keep a box by the back door to drop things in for the charity shops. Each day, more goes into the box. As soon as my company goes, I will again take a ruthless turn at tossing. 😉 You do feel so much lighter after, do you not? As for the spider, I have never seen it again so I did not have to do it harm. It may have been sent to bring me to action so I make myself grateful. I did honestly take a few nights to relax but I still check around me carefully these day. 🙂 I’ve become a little “buggy” 😉 Thanks for stopping by.

Buggy!! Hehe! I suppose the good thing about winter heading your way means the bugs will all disappear or at least go into hibernation for several months, giving you a break. The charity box by the door is a great reminder to keep de- cluttering one’s cupboards.

Freak me out ! I got the eeebie-geebies just reading about a spider in YOUR bed. I would have slept on the sofa too. Unlike Alys, I’m very creeped out by spiders and don’t rescue them to set them free outside. You’re smart to clean out from under your bed and even closets. If it’s not been utilized, you can find room for things you still use.
Congratulations on finally framing your mom’s cross-stitching. It turned out really pretty xo K

Thank you for the birthday wishes, my sweet friend. It was a wonderful day and I was seriously spoiled. I do not rescue spiders either. If they get inside, they are doomed. Everything under the headboard was in plastic bags and labeled as I was trying to decide if I would by any stretch of the imagination have enough lifetime left to sew with it. A great deal didn’t make the cut and the little that was left is on it’s way to the sewing machine after next week when company leaves. I have a houseful. I was so happy to find mom’s needlepoint. I just could not get the hang of that craft at all. She loved doing it so it’s a delight to see everyday. Thanks for stopping by and sending big squishy hugs. Alys passed on your hello when we spoke at the beginning of last week. I planned to write a note to you. Soon.